Box making machine



Jam 18, 1938. c. M. sTlTT Box MAKING MACHINE 8 shets-sheet 1 Filed'MarCh 9, 1937 H/5 ATTORN EY Jan. v18 193s. C, M, SWT 2,105,620r

BOX MAKING MACHINE Filed MaIQh 9, 1915"/A Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR CLHUDEM KT BY 6% .@ww

H/5 ATTORNEY Jan- 18, 1938- c. M. sTlTT Box MAKING MACHINE Filed March 9, 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR CZHUDEM .57777- BY M lli mb )#5 AATTORNEY Jan. 18, 1938.

I C. M. vsTlTT 2,105,620

BOX MAKING MACHINE Filed March 9, 1957 s sheets-sheet 4 INVENTOR I cm1/05M- BY mja H/.5' ATTORNEY Jan. 18, 1938. c, M, s'r1TT BOX MAKING MACHINE Filed March 9, 1937 5 .fu e 7 m r, W v 5, "I R. m E mm E VU 8 mm T- C 5r r7- l BY 1% H/5 ATro-RNEY Jan. 18, 1938.

c. M. s'm-T BOX MAKING MACHINE Filed March 9, 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTORl W7 cmwf/z/zj/Tr BY @mk H/s ATroRNEY Jan. 1s, 1938.` c. M. smf

BOX MAKING MACHINE Filed March 9, 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet 'T INVENTOR ,QUDE' fnl/5 ATTORNEY Jan. 18, 193s. c, MfST'lT-T' 2,105,620

'BOXMAKING MACHINE Filed March 9, 1957 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 /04 L /Z QL/(g #5E mw@ INVENTOR CLUDE M515? BY b@ ,Ll/5 ATTORNEY Patented .im is, 193s Y PATENT OFFICE 2,105,620 Box MAKING MACHINE Claude M. Stitt, Antioch, Calif., assignor to Fibreboard Products, Inc., San Francisco, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Application March 9, 1937, Serial N0. 129,882

17 Claims.

A My invention relates to a machine for folding a box from a blank sheet of material; and the broad object of my invention is to provide means for applying a reinforcing ring to the box during 5 the folding operation.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the' following description of my invention. It is to be understood that l I do not limitl myself to this disclosure of species of my invention, as I may adopt variant embodiments thereof within the scope of the claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a machine 15 embodying the improvements of my invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view showing the gluing unit in side elevation, taken from the side of the machine opposite that shown in Figure 1, and illustrating the control switch for the wire feed solenoid.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the machine; and

Figure 4 is a. vertical sectional view of the same, taken in a plane indicated by the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the forming head operating cam, taken in a plane indicated by the line 5-5 of Figure 6.

Figure 6 is an end elevational view of the machine, looking at the end from which the wire 30. rings are fed.

Figure 7 is a plan view of the box blank; and

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the completed box, portions of a rim ap being broken away to show the wire reinforcing ring.

35 Figure 9 is'a fragmentary view showing the forming head and mounting in side elevation, portionsof dash pots being broken away to show the internal structure. f

Figure 10 is a plan view of the forming head;

40 and Figure 11 is a vertical sectional view ofthe same, taken in a plane` indicated by the line II-II of Figure l0.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary horizontal sec- 45 tional view, taken in a plane indicated by the line I2-I 2 of Figure 9, showing the mounting bracket on the forming head stem.

Figure 13 is a detail ,horizontal sectional view, taken in a plane indicated by the line .I3- J3 of K 50 Figure 4, showing theap nger trip mechanism;

and

Figure 14 is avertical sectional view taken in the plane indicated by the line I4.-I4 of Figure 13, showing a side elevation of the same meGhanism; and

(ci. ca -49) Figure 15 is another vertical sectional view showing the trip mechanism, taken in a plane indicated by the line |5-l5 of Figure 14. Figure 16 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken in a plane indicated by the line 5 |6-l6 of Figure 1, showing side iiap holding mechanism. A

Figure 17 is a plan view of the wire feed car' riage; and

Figure 18 is a side elevational lview of the same. 10

Figure. 19 is a detail side elevational view on somewhat larger scale, showing one of the clamping lingers on the wire feed carriage, and also showing one of the wire latches.

Figure 20 is a vertical sectional view taken 15 through one of the wire holding standards in the plane indicated by the line 20-20 of Figure 4, and showing the mechanism for operating the wire holding element.

Figures 21 to 26 are diagrammatic views showing various positions of the forming head and associated elements in the steps of folding the blank and placing the wire reinforcing ring.

Figure 27 is a plan view looking at the underside of the forming die.

In terms of broad inclusion, the box making machine embodying my invention is designed for folding a blank having a bottom wall, side walls foldably connected to the bottom wall, side flaps foldably connected to ends of the side walls, and rim flaps foldably connected to the tops of the side walls. The machine is also .designed to place a reinforcing ring about the box walls, under the rim flaps. Broadly considered, the machine comprises a forming head; folding elements: and means for moving the head relative to the elements, whereby the walls are folded about the head to form the box, with theside aps folded over adjacent side walls. Means are also provided for holding a reinforcing ring in the path of movement of the head. so that movement of the latter inserts the box through the ring to position the ring about the box.

Means are further provided for folding the rim aps over the ring. A gluing device is provided on the machine for applying glue to the blank, so that when the box is folded the side and rim flaps are cemented down. Means are also provided for feeding blanks and reinforcing rings to the forming head; and means are provided for 50 receiving ythe finished boxes. y

In greater detail, and referring particularly to Figures 7 and 8 of the drawings, the machine embodying my invention operates to form a box from a blank l having a bottom wall 2, side walls 3 fol'dably connected to the bottom wall, side flaps d foldably connected'to the ends of two opposing side walls, and rim flaps 6 foldably connected to the tops of each of the side walls. Figure 8 shows the completed box with side walls 3 folded up from the bottom wall, and side aps il folded in against the outer surfaces of adjacent side walls. Suitable openings l yare preferably provided in the box to provide for ventilation.

Figure 8 also shows the reinforcing ring 8 encircling the upper portions of the side walls, with the rim aps 5 folded down over the ring. This ring is preferably of wire, welded at the ends to form a ring, and is shaped to t snugly along the rim of the box.

As shown in Figure 7, an adhesive 9 is provided on the side walls to cement the side flaps il, and also along the inner surfaces of rim aps 0 to cement the latter against the side walls. By this construction the reinforcing ring 8 is securely held, and the latter gives rigidity to the box, especially along the rim where strength is needed. In open top boxes, such as the berry basket disclosed, the reinforcing ring has been found to materially improve the box, since it holds the box in shape and permits rough handling without danger of breaking or tearing thewalls.

Referring particularly to Figures l, 3 and 6, the machine for folding the box and applying the reinforcing ring comprises a bed plate i0 supported by side frames ll' and a central cross plate l2. 'Ihe blanks are fed in from one end of the machine from a chute i3 mounted on a bracket itl projecting from a frame extension l0, the latter being arranged somewhat below the plane of bed plate i0. This chute holds a stack of the blanks, and the latter are fed one at a time from the-lower end of the stack by a pusher block ill. Feed rolls i8 engage the blank being pushed out, and discharge it onto a conveyor lil which carries the blank forwardly into the machine.

The drive for both the pusher block Il' and feed rolls i8 is derived from the conveyor, through suitable gears 2i. A clutch, not shown, is pref# erably interposed in the drive mechanism for the pusher block, and a 'suitable lever 22 is provided for operating the clutch, so thatan operator may start or `stop the block.

As blanks are fed forwardly by the conveyor they pass through a gluing unit 23 having a glue wheel 2li overlying a supporting roll 2S. Details of this unit are not shown because they are described fully in the patent to Ford and Pittman, No. 2,000,325, issued May 7, 1935. In the present case this unit applies the adhesive 9 over certain areas of the blank as illustrated in Figlure 7.

ring is fed from the other end. These rings are' a rack extending iup-- projecting horizontally 'I'he'rack com`` stored in a stack 30 on wardly from the floor and over the bed of the machine. prises a tubular core 29 carrying four guide bars or rails 3| adapted to engage the inside corners of the rings for holding them in stacked position. The rings may then readily be moved up to the horizontal portion of the rack by the operator,

and fed by hand over the end of the rack and onto asynchronized feeding device, hereinafter described.

The rack, as best shown in Figure 6, is -turnably mounted on a base plate 32, so that it may be swung out when a new supply of rings are being threaded on the rack. A suitable latch 33 serves to hold the rack in a selected position. In order to facilitate threading the rings on the rack, means are provided for contracting the guide bars 3l at the forward end of the rack. For this purpose a sleeve 32 is slidably mounted on a reduced end of the core 29, and is movably controlled by a lever 33 through a connecting link 34. The ends of the bars 3l are connected to the sleeve, so that they are pulled together when the sleeve is moved out. A head frame 35 is mounted on' the end of the rack to guide the wires down when they are pushed off the end of the rack. This head is held by a nut 3l and is removed when additional wires are being threaded on the rack.

When the wire rings are pushed off the end of the rack, one at a time, by the operator, they fall into a pair of revolving star wheels 3d which are timed to drop the wires into the machine at the proper time. As shown in Figure 3, where the rack is omitted to clarify the View, the wheels are mounted on an apron 35 of the frame, and are positioned in an opening di in the apron. When a ring drops down it lands on the inner horlzontal flanges of the star wheels, and is fed down into the machine when the wheels'make another quarter turn.

The wheels are geared to a shaft l2 which is rotated periodically by a Geneva star d3. See Figure 4. As better shown in Figure 3, the Geneva star is driven by a sprocket lil through a clutch 636 controlled by a solenoid dll. As long as the clutch is engaged the wheels 3d are rotated, a quarter turn at a time, through the Geneva star. When solenoid il is energized however, clutch it is disengaged to stop the wire feed. This solenoid operated clutch is used as a safety device to prevent wires from being fed into the machine, should a blank become stuck or for some other reason failto feed into the folding mechanism.

Figure 2 shows the safety switch operating element i9 mounted on the reset arm 5i of the gluing unit. When this arm is in its normal operating position, as shown, the switch operating element il@ is away from button 52 of the safety switch 53, and the latter is open. 'Ihis switch is in circuit with solenoid il?, so that clutch i6 is normally engaged. lHowever, when a blank is not passing through the unit, and the control fingers 5 are not held up, the release arm 56 moves in and allows bar 51 to drop, also switch operating element Q9 to swing down.

This action of the gluing unit lowers its supporting roll away from the glue Wheel when a blank is not passing through the unit, as fully described in the patent referred to. When arm 5| goes down, the switch operating element 49 swings down and depresses button 52 of the safety switch, thereby closing the circuit to energize the solenoid and disengage clutch 46 of the wire feed mechanism. By this arrangement a wire is allowed to feed into the machine only when a blank is going in.

Means are provided for delivering the wire,v

rings from the feed wheels l3,8 to a. position above the forming head 28. For this purpose a. carriage 50 isv mounted for reciprocation under the bed of the machine; in its retracted position the rear end of the carriage underlies the wire feed wheels 38, and in its extended position the forward end of the carriage overlies the forming head 28. Figure 4 shows the carriage in its retracted position. In their forward movement lthe wire rings are guided by grooved guideways 59 arranged adjacent each side of the carriage. See Figures 4, 6 and 19. As best shown in Figure 6, the carriage-is mounted by flanges running in grooves cut in the outside edges of guideways 59.

Referring particularly to Figures 17 to 19, the wire carriage is formed by pairs of parallel side rails 6| mounted on'spreader arms 82 carrying the anges 63 which engage the guideways 59. The rails of each pair are spaced apart by lugs 69 on the spreader arms, to which they are fastened. In the spaces between the rails a series of pairs of wire engaging fingers 68, 61, 68 and 69 are pivotally mounted for movement from an elevated position (as in Figure 19) to a retracted position (as in Figure 18),.

Fingers 86, 61 and 68 are spaced along the carriage to engagethe forward edges respectively of three different wire rings. Since the forward ring on the carriage is delivered into the operating position above the forming head, it also has its back side held by the additional pair of fin- 'gers 69.

The fingers are opened and closed by a, pair of outside slide bars 1| mounted on pins 12 fastened to the outer rails and passing through slots 13 in the slide bars. These bars are connected together at their rear ends by a roller 14, so that the bars move together. Pivot pins 18 ofthe fingers also extend through suitable slots 11 in the slide bars, and carry depending legs 18 adapted to be engaged by rollers 19 mounted on the slide bars. Suitable springs 8| are provided for holding the fingers down; and stops 82 are provided for limiting vtheir closing' movement.

By this arrangement, the-ngers are simultaneously elevated when the slide bars move forward relative to the carriage, andretract when the bars slide back. Since the springs 8| are tending to hold the fingers closed, the slide bars arenorm'ally held back, unless some outside force acts to slide them foriivard:v

r The reciprocating movement of the carriage as a whole is such that the wire rings are advanced in three steps. In the first step the rear fingers .68 clamp down on a wire dropped from the feed wheels 38, and advanceit forward a certain distance to engage spring pressed catches 83. Figure 19 shows one of these catches, mounted under the bed of the machine (indicated by the dot and dash line B4) and having notched forward ends 86 for receiving the wire. These catches pull the wire out from under the'ngers when the carriage retracts, so that ,the wire stays in its advanced position in the guideways.

When the carriage retracts topick up a second wire, the intermediate s et of ngers 61 move back behind thewire iirst advanced, and move it ahead another step to a second pair of catches, similarto the catch 83 shown in Figure 19. In the next 'retracting movement of the carriage, the forward pairs of fingers 86 and 69 engage both the front and back sides of the leading ring and deliverl it into its final position of rest above the forming head 28. p

The means for elevating the fingers on thecartion.

riage when the latter is retracted comprises (Figure 4) a pivoted lever 81 having a follower roller riding on a cam 88 on the cross shaft I2 turned by the Geneva star 43. The curved rear end of this lever carries a roller 89 arranged to engage under the roller 1li of the finger control slide bars 1| of the wire carriage. When cam 89 presses the lever down roller 89 moves up to press the slide bars forward and elevate the fingers.

In order to hold the fingers up until the carriage moves forward sufficient to catch the Wires under the fingers, a locking device is provided to hold the ,slide bars in their advanced position. This comprises (Figure 18) a pair of hooks 9| and 92 pivoted respectively to one of the side rails 6| and an adjacent slide bar 1|. Hook 92 has a limited motion between two stops 93; and

- lease the latch, allowing the slide bars to shift forward and clamp the fingers down on the wires. Figure 18 shows cam plate 91 fastened' on the underside of the machine bed, which is indicated by the dot'and dash line 9,9 in this view.

After a wire has been advanced into positionv overlying forming head 28, it is held by four hooked elements |0| mounted to rotate up into engagement with the inside corners of the wire ring. This holds the ring securely when the carriage is withdrawn, and leaves the central opening cf the ring free and unobstructed for subsequent insertion of the box. As better shown in Figure 20, each of the hooked elements |0| -is mounted on a gear segment |02 journaled in a hollow standard 4or post |03 secured to a yoke shaped bracket |04 on the bed of the machine.

The gear segment is rotated by a rack |06 slidable in the standard |03, and having a shank |01 projecting up out of the standard and slidable in the upper'arm of the yoke shaped bracket |00.

A spring |05 encircling the shank bears up against a washer |08 on the shank and serves to hold the wire holding element |0| in its open or down posi- Motion is imparted to a pair'of the wire holding elements by levers |09 xed to a shaft I and having bifurcated ends engaging the rack Shanks |91. so that when the levers move down, the elements IM turn up. Two of these shafts are provided, one for each pair of -wire holding elements, as is shown in Figure 3.

Referring again to Figure 4, it is seen that standards |03 extend down through an opening in the bed of the machine to position the hooked elements |0| below the path of the Wire carriage.

Another function of these standards-is to provide support for die plate H2, which lies between the head 28 and Wire holding elements |0|, and just above the carton blank support 2 1. This die has anop'ening through which the head may pass, and is shaped to fold the blank about the head when the blank is pushed up through the die.

Figure 27 shows the underside of the die, and illustrates the shape of the inner edges of the die, which edges constitute the forming elements for folding the blank about the head. As there shown, the inner edges of the die are all cut under to provide sloping faces ||3 for gradually bringing in the side walls of the blank. The two opposite edges which engage the tabbed walls each of .the straight edges.

Figures 21 to 26 show various stages in the formation of the box, as the blank is pushed up through the die plate and then past the wire holding elements and ap pressure mechanism. Figure 2l shows the position of the parts at the beginning of the folding operation. At this timer the forming head 2d is down; a blank is positioned between the Vhead and die H2; and a wire ring 8 is being held above the die by elements mi.

When head 28 moves up it engages the bottom portion 2 of the blank and pushes it through the opening in the die. The walls d of the blank are folded downwardly and inwardly by the action of the die, and the end flaps d are folded inwardly over adjacent side walls. Figure 22 shows the blank while the head is moving up through the die. At this timey sides 3 have been forced down almost against the head by lugs l l@ and v l i t, and aps t are being rotated in by the curved surfaces M3.

As the head continues moving up it insertsthe folded box through the wire ring 8 overlying the die, and the ring serves at this time td draw the side walls 3 and aps il against the head. As' the ring slips down over the box, plates H9 move in against the naps i to hold these from spreading out from the head after the ring passes down off the flaps. After the head reaches the point where the rim of the box is opposite the wire ring (Figure 23), the rim flaps '6 are folded upwardly and inwardly about the ring. This folding is eiected by ngers HT pivotally mounted on the lower portions of the head. When these fingers swing up they clamp the rim flaps and also securely hold the ring which now lies in the fold of the llaps. See Figure 24. In this position of the head, which is its intermediate position of rest, its bottom is substantially ilush'with the lower edges of the pressure elements H3 which are slidably mounted on the bed of the machine. There are four of these elements, one onr each side 0f the head.

Pressure elements H8 move inwardly against the'rim flaps t, and press the glued surfaces of the rim aps against the walls 3 and end aps d, and also press the end flaps against the glued surfaces of the walls. After these elements have started their squeeze against the rim flaps, the wire holding elements lill rotate down out of engagement with the Wire. Since fingers l'i are still up, slots i2@ are out in the elements to receive the fingers. Considerable pressure isl desirable on the rim flaps, to effect the proper seal, and therefore elements Il@ are in the nature of quite yheavy pressure blocks having sloping forward faces, complementary to the faces on thev head. Slight grooves are also provided along the lower edges of these elements` to allow for the extra thickness of the rim `flaps. Figure 25 shows the pressure elements against the head and wire holding elements l0 l'folded down. Since the inclined faces of the pressure elements tend to force the headh down and put strain on the mechanism, a suitable wedge block |2| is slipped under stem |22 of the headlat this time.f.This wedge block holds the head rigidly, and insures full pressure on the rim flaps when elements H8 `move in.

After a predetermined interval, plates di@ and pressure elements il@ move back. and head 2@ goes up to insert the box into a nest |23, as shown in Figure 26. In this upper position the rim of a newly formed box is caught by the flanges of suitable spring holders ld mounted on brackets lill. When the head recedes, the box is pulled from under ngers Hl and stripped from the head, and is left nested in the stack |23. Before the head recedes, wire holding elements lili fold up out of the path of movement of the head, as shown in Figure 26. After the head goes down these elements move back out to engage another wire.

The boxes keep building up in the nest l2@ and finally enter a chute l2@ supported above the bed of the machine by posts l2?. See Figure l. This chute guides the nest onto a horizontal shelf 82d, from which boxes may be removed from time to time. A pair of spring holders 29 are also provided on the chute, for assisting in holding up the stack.

The drives for the various mechanisms are derived from a main drive shaft l 3|, having a handwheel it at each side of the machine. See Figures 1 and 6. A loose pulley H33 is mounted on the shaft, and is driven by a belt |36 from a suitable prime mover. This drive pulley is connected to shaft itl by a clutch E35 which is controlled by levers it? connected by cross rod i3d and arranged on the two sides of the machine. The clutch is also controlled from` the end of the machine by a third lever |39 connected through a rod Hdl and arm E42 to the cross rod i3d. A second shaft |63, rotating at slower speed, is also provided in the machine, and is connected to shaft ll by suitable gears itil.

As best shown in Figure 1, a drive chain ill@ is connected between shaft |3| and the inner end of blank feed conveyor I9 for driving the latter; and a chain itl is connected between shaft ill@ and the gluing unit for driving it. This takes care of driving all the mechanisms on frame extension it, since the blank feed block il and associated parts are drivably connected to the.

i appreciable period of rest in the retracted position.

The folding head 28 has its square stem l@ slidable in the center plate l2 of the frame, and is reciprocated by a pair of pivotallyl connected arms |53; one of which is mounted on a cross shaft ld and the other to a bracket |55 on the stem. Shaft ldd is in turn rocked back and forth by a linkage |56 carrying a follower l5? riding in the groove of a cam |58 mounted on shaft it. Figure 5 shows this cam and linkage; and from the shape of the cam it is seen that the head moves up to a position .of rest, after which it moves up still further, before returning down to itsinitial position. In other words, the head goes up in two steps, and down in one.

wedge blQck. mi, which goes under 'stem tra when the head is in its intermediate position Aof rest, is shown in Figure 4 as slidable in plates itil,

supporting arm. Suitable springs |61 serve to hold the follower against the cam. This wedge block has an aperture, through which. stem |22 normally extends; the block being pulled back under the stem only when the head is in its intermediate position of rest.

Flap folding fingers I1 on the head are operated by a sleeve |68 slidable on stem |22 within the head. Figures 10 and 11 show the detailed construction of the head, with fingers I1 connected to the center sleeve by links |69 so that the pivoted fingers are closed simultaneously when the sleeve moves down. The lower end of sleeve |68v terminates in a plate |10, to the opposite ends of which are connected a pair of depending rods |1| carrying plungers |12 of dash pot cylinders |13. See Figure 9. A

These cylinders are mounted on stem bracket |55 so that they move with the head. Figure 12 shows the stem bracket with the dash pots arranged on opposite sides of the stem. AThis view also shows the guide arms |14 on the bracket,

slidably engaging a plate |16 on the frame for.

holding the bracket in alignment. Referring again to Figure 9, a spring |11 is provided in each dash pot about the rods |1|, and are compressed between the upper ends of the cylinders and plungers |12. This serves to force the finger sleeve |68 down when the sleeve is released; and a suitable fluid, such as oil, in the cylinders operates to let the sleeve down easy when the sleeve is released, so that the fingers close without violence.

The means forreleasing the fingers when head 28 is in the position shown in Figure 24 comprises a bell crank latch |18 pivoted in the head. One end of this latch is caught under a lug |19 on sleeve |68, and the other end is connected to a trip rod |8|. This latter rod extends downwardly and is guided by an arm |82 of stem bracket |55. The mechanism for depressing the trip rod is shownin Figures 13 to 15; and would normally also be shown in the section of the machine taken in Figure 4, but is omitted in the latter view for sake of simplicity.

Trip rod |8| carries a collar |83 engaged by a hook |84 pivoted to an arm |86 of a bell crank which in turn is pivoted lto a bracket |81 on the machine. The other arm |88 of the bell crank is connected to a yoke |89 'having a follower |9| riding on a cam |92 on shaft |43. A spring |93 bearing against a lug |94 on the bell crank OPPO- site arm |88, serves to hold the follower against -hook rides out on a fixed cam plate |91, allowing collar |83 to move up past the hook `A slotted arm |98 engaging the` end of the roller pin .limits movement-of the hook. Upward movement of the trip rod when the hook is released is insured by spring |99. Since cams |91 and |92 both operate on hook |84, the hub 28| of the hook and boss 282 of arm |86 are connected by a coil` spring 203, so that the arm andV hook move together, 'but are also permitted a degree of relative movement.Y

The mechanism is timed so that fingers ||1 are closed when the lower end of the head is opposite the wire ring, as shown in Figure 24. f These lingers-then stay closed until the head returns to its lower position, at which time plate |18 of sleeve |68 abuts a resilient pad 284 on cross plate |2 and forces the sleeve up thereby again holding fingers ||1 open. Figure 4 shows the resilient pad for resetting the finger sleeve.

The mounting of pressure elements ||8 is best shown in Figures 3 and 4. These elements are slidable in suitable guideways on the bed of the machine; onelement being positioned on each side of the central opening of the bed through which the box moves in the folding operation. Each pressure element is moved back and forth by a bell crank 206 having one arm connected to the element by arod 281, and carrying a follower 208 on the other arm riding on a cam 289. The reciprocating motion imparted to the element is made positive, in both directions, by a second follower 2|| riding on another cam 2|2. This second follower is located at the pivot between the bell crank-and rod 281. v

Both cams are xed on a shaft 2|3; there beng'four of these shafts rectangularly disposed onthe bed of the machine to serve vthe four pressure elements. vSee Figure 3. Adjacent pairs of these shafts are connected together by bevel gears 2|4. A shaft of one of these pairs is driven by a chain 2|6 from shaft |43; and a shaft of the other pair is driven at the same speed by a chain 2|1 from shaft |3|, so that all pressure elementsmove simultaneously. See Figure 1. The mechanism of course is timed to shift the pressure elements inwardly when the head is in the intermediate rest position shown in Figure 25.

Holding plates ||9, two of which are provided, are also driven from shafts 2 |3. These plates are mounted on slide pieces 2|8 arranged alongside pressure elements ||8, and are also mounted in suitable guideways on the bed of the machine. As shown in Figure 16, a short shaft 2|9 is journaled above plate ||9 on brackets 22|, and'carries depending 'forks 222 engaging the side pieces 2|8. A rod 223 connects a lever 224 on shaft 2|9 with a rocker arm carrying a follower 221 riding on a cam 228 fixed on shaft 2|3.

Forward movement of plate I| |9 is effected by a spring 229 coiled about shaft 2|9, which spring also serves to hold follower 221 against cam 228. This cam of course is timed to allow plate ||9 to move in to hold end aps 4 when the head has moved up to the position shown in Figure 23.

The drive for the wire holding elements |8| is also derived from the upper cross shafts 2|3. As

shown in Figures 3 and 4, shafts in brackets |84 each have an upstanding lever 23| connected to a rod 232 carrying a follower 233 ridingA in a groove of a cam 234 on an adjacent cross shaft This cam so times the movement of the parts that racks |86 are moved down to engage holding elements 10| with a wire placed over the head by carriage 58; and to open the holding elements to release the wire after the pressure elements ||8 have started applying pressure to the rim iiaps. The cam also vopeiates'to fold up the wire holding elements'out of the Way of the head when the latter moves down.

Feed wheels 38 for the wire rings are also driven from one of the upper cross shafts 2|3. As shown inFigure 3, the drive sprocket 44 of vthe 'wire feed mechanism is connected to a jack 1. A machine for making a box having a'rein-4 forcing ring, said box being formed from a blank having a foldably connected portion for fastening the ring to the box, comprising means for folding the blank into a box, means for applying the reinforcing ringto the box, and means for folding said fastening portion about the ring. Y

' 2. A machine for making a box having a reinforcing ring, said box being formed from a blank having side walls and a rim ap foldably connected to the top of one of the walls, means for folding said walls to form a box, means for ap-n plying the reinforcing ring to the upper portions of said walls, and means for-folding the rim flap about the ring.

3. A machine for making a box having a reinforcing. ring, said box being formed from a blank having side walls and a rim fiap foldably connected to the top of one ofthe walls, means for folding said walls to form a box, means for holding the reinforcing ring, means for inserting the box through.' the ring to positionthe latter about the upper portions of the box walls, and means for folding the rim iiap about the ring.

4. A machine for making a box having a reinforcing ring, said box being formed from a blank having side walls and rim iiaps foldably connected to the tops of said walls, means for folding the walls to form a box, means for positioning the reinforcing zing around the outside of said walls adjacent the upper portions of the box, and means for folding the rim aps outwardly over said ring.

5. A machine for making a box having a reinforcing ring, said box being formed from a blank having side walls, side aps foldably'connected to ends of the side walls, and rim flaps foldably connected to the tops of said Walls, means for folding the walls to form a box, means for folding the side flaps over the outer surfaces of adjacent side walls, means for positioning the rein-,- forcing ring around the outside of said walls adv jacent the upper portions f the box,.an'd means fg folding the rim aps outwardly over said I g- 6. A machine for making a box having a reinforcing ring, said box being formed from a blank,

comprising a forming head, means for folding the blank vabout said head to form a box, means for holding the reinforcing ring, and means for moving the head to insert the box through the ringfor positioning the latter about the box.

7. A1 machine for making a box having a reinforcing ring, said box being formed from a blank having a foldably connected portion for fastening the ring to the box,'comprising 4,a forming head, means for folding the blank about said head to form a box,- means'- for'holdingthe reinforcing ring, means for moving the head to insert the box through the ring for positioning the latter about the box, and means for folding said fastening portion about the ring. l

8. A machinefor making a box 'having a reinforcing ring, said box being formed from a blank having a bottom wall, nected to the bottom wall, rim aps foldably connected to the tops of the side walls,` a forming head, folding elements, means for moving the" head against the bottom wall of the blank to drive the latter between said elements for folding the side walls about the head, means for holding the reinforcing ring in the path of movement of said head'whereby the box is inserted through the ring by movement of the head to position thek ring about the box, and means forfolding. the rim flaps about the ring.

9. A machine for making a box having a reinforcing ring, said box being formed from a blank having a bottom wall, side" walls foldably conside walls foldablyv connected to the bottom wall, side aps foldably connected'to ends of the side walls, rim iiaps foldably connected. to the tops ofl the side Walls, a forming head, folding elements, means for moving the head against the bottom wall of the blank to drive the latter between said elements for folding the side walls about the head andv for folding the side flaps about adjacent side walls, means for holding the reinforcing ring in the path of movement of said head, whereby the box is inserted through the ring by movement of the head to position the ring about .the box. and means for folding the rim flaps about the ring.v

10. A machine for making a box having a reinforcing ring, said box being formed from a blank having a foldably connected portion ,for fastening the ring to the box, comprising means for applying glue to the blank for cementing said fastening portion when the latter is folded, means for folding theblank intoa box, means for applying the reinforcing ring to the box, and means for folding said fastening portion about the ring.

11. A machine for making a box having a reinforcing ring, said box being formed from a blank, a forming head, means for feeding a blank to the head, means for folding the blank about the head to form a box, means for holding a reinforcing ring, 'means for feeding a ring` to said holding means, andmeans for moving the head to insert the box throughthe ring.

l2. A machine for makinga box having a reinforcing ring, said box being formed from a blank, a forming head, means for feeding a 'blank to the head, means for folding the blank about the head to form a box, means for holding a reinforcing ring, means for feeding a ring to said holding means, means for mounting the head for movement to insert the box through the ring, means for holding'a nest of the boxes, and means for continuing movement of the head to drive a newly formed box into said nest.

13. A machine for making a box having a reinforcing ring, said box being formed from a blank,

lit'

a forming head, means for feeding a blank to v the head, means for folding the blank about the headl to forrfi a box, a plurality of elements for holding a reinforcing ring, means for feeding a ringto said elements, means for moving the head sition the ring about the box,a carriage for feeding a ring to said holding means, and means for timing the movement of the carriage with said head.

15. A machine for making a box having a reinforcing ring, said box being formed from a blank, a formingv head, means for folding the blank about the head, means for holding a reinforcing ring, means for moving the vhead to insertV the se p box through the ring, a carriage for feeding a ring to said holding means, means for timing the movement of the carriage'with said head, and means timedl with the carriage movement for depositing a ring onsaid carriage.- 16. A machine for mamng a box havingia reinforcing ring, said box being formed from a blank, a forming head, means for folding the l,blair about the head, means for holding a reinforcing ring, means for moving the head to insert the box through the ring, a, carriage for feeding a ring vto said Aholding means, means for timing the movement of the carriage with said head, a rack for holding a supply of rings. and means timed with the carriage movement for depositing a ring on'said carriage.'

17. A machine for making a box having a foldably connected portion for fastening a reinforcing element to the box, comprising means for positioning the reinforcing element adjacent said fastening portion, and means for folding the 5 fastening portion about the element.

' l CLAUDE M. S'I'I'I'I. 

